Cincinnati Pride 2016

[kybearfuzz]

After being gone all last week, I have to admit that I was not necessarily looking forward to going to Pride this year. Not that the "open carry" gun nuts or religious blowhards would deter me from going, but because I was so tired of being social, that the idea of being around so many people seemed potentially draining.

I stayed up late last night getting my Pride shirt for the year done. I didn't have a lot of time to draw something new. I wanted the shirt to have two bears kissing, so I used the image of Grizzly and Colour Cub kissing from the engagement story and dressed it up. I loved how it turned out.

I got up and went to see the parade this morning. Once I was in the middle of all of it, my worries of being socially exhausted faded quickly. It felt so good to see everyone. There is a group identity of pride attendees in a way, there is an energy, the feeling of community. The environment of everyone celebrating love, pride, being out is very satisfying. I saw several of our old LJ crowd in the parade, a coworker or two, and friends I'd not seen in a while.

After about three hours, I was wearing down. Not from the social aspects, but from the heat, the lack of sleep, and the recent traveling. I drove home, showered, and napped. I got up and went to a surprise 60th birthday party for a retired coworker, seeing former coworkers, current coworkers, and their spouses. It was a good night.

Now I'm home and sleepy. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. Hopefully, Milo the Cat will let me.

Comments

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you had a good day.

The T-shirt design looks great - and you're looking buff!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I liked how the shirt turned out too! :)

Handsome bear, handsome shirt

[hardybear.livejournal.com]

That is a wonderful photo of you, showing off your artwork and your body at the same time! No wonder you had a good time at Pride!

Re: Handsome bear, handsome shirt

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL! I admit that the cartoon does get me some attention :)

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

The shirt is killer!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks Champ! I certainly enjoyed the attention it gets.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You've identified what is important about attending Pride. It is "the feeling of community. The environment of everyone celebrating love, pride, being out". I am sad to be missing Twin Cities Pride for the first time in seven years, but I plan to attend Austin's next month or Dallas' celebration in September.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

It does feel good, doesn't it? And I usually see friends I haven't seen in a long while when I go.

[man-of-snows.livejournal.com]

Is he snuggling and waking you up a dozen times a night?

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

No, but he's in my face the moment the alarm goes off (and on the Saturday mornings when the alarm doesn't ring).